JACKSONVILLE – A game draws closer, at last.
That meant news regarding playing time and quarterbacks Thursday, but the Jaguars kept to their routine – which meant a two-hour, twenty-minute practice on Day 13 of 2021 Training Camp in 87-degree temperatures that felt like 95 at the Dream Finders Homes Practice Complex.
Jaguars Head Coach Urban Meyer spoke to the media before Thursday's practice, announcing that both rookie Trevor Lawrence and veteran Gardner Minshew II will play quarterback against the Cleveland Browns in the 2021 preseason opener at TIAA Bank Field Saturday at 7 p.m.
Meyer said a starter and likely playing time will be decided Thursday night.
Lawrence spoke after practice, and coverage of both availabilities – Lawrence's and Meyer's – can be seen Thursday on Jaguars Media channels and jaguars.com.
The Jaguars practiced in light pads, shorts and helmets Thursday with periods dedicated to special teams – and offensive and defensive instillation. There was also 7-on-7, 11-on-11 and two-minute situational work.
Here's a look at Thursday's practice:
PLAY OF THE DAY
This was a comparatively light day for downfield passing, and there also was little contact – little hitting and no one-on-one pass rush work for linemen. Minshew and Lawrence both had strong moments, with Minshew standing out in a mid-practice 7-on-7 drills. He completed five consecutive passes late in the drill, ending the period with a 35-yard touchdown pass down the sideline to wide receiver Jeff Cotton, Jr.
STANDING OUT
*Lawrence followed the aforementioned performance by Minshew in 7-on-7 by starting the ensuing 11-on-11 drill with a deep pass to veteran wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. – who made a diving reception that officials ruled a catch. …
*Rookie running back Travis Etienne Jr. continued to look strong and quick, turning several short passes into 10-to-15-yard gains early in practice. …
*Minshew in the 7-on-7 drill completed passes to tight end James O'Shaughnessy, running back Carlos Hyde (deep down the sideline), Jones Jr. and wide receiver Collin Johnson before finishing with the deep pass to Cotton. …
*Running back James Robinson had a nice 15-yard run in a team period late in practice. …
*Defensive end Dawuane Smoot had a pressure in a late-practice team period and cornerback Tre Herndon and linebacker Myles Jack had tight coverage in an early-practice drill. …
*Quarterback Jake Luton had a nice finish to practice, completing two passes to wide receiver Tevin Jones and finishing practice with a touchdown pass to Cotton. …
NOTABLE
*Cornerback CJ Henderson practiced for a third consecutive day Wednesday. He missed practice Sunday personal reasons, having returned to practice Saturday after missing the first eight days of '21 camp on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. …
*Defensive lineman Taven Bryan and safety Daniel Thomas remained on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, and rookie linebacker Dylan Moses remained on the active/non-football injury list. Meyer said before practice Bryan is close to being off the list, is in good physical shape and should return to practice soon. …
*Wide receivers Josh Imatorbhebhe and Tim Jones worked on the side, as did wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. Chark remained out of practice after undergoing surgery on a hairline fracture in his hand and Meyer said recently he is expected to be ready for the regular-season opener at Houston September 12. …
*Guard Andrew Norwell will not play Saturday with an elbow issue that Meyer said should be fine in a week. Meyer also said there is a chance safety Rudy Ford (lower body muscle) and wide receiver Phillip Dorsett tight hamstring) will play Saturday. …
